Official Pakistan condemns attacks on Lahore Christians

Hundreds of houses burned, leading to protests across country

Pakistan’s national assembly joined a chorus of condemnation Monday following Saturday’s rioting in Lahore by Muslims that prompted Christians to flee before scores of their houses were burned.



“We fled for our lives, do not ask us where we are,” a Christian teacher sobbed to World Watch Monitor before her phone went dead.



“Everything is gone and they will come and get us next,” said another Christian, who refused to leave Badami Bagh, a working-class urban sector of Lahore. “We have decided it is best to stay and lay low. If they come we will also flee, but we pray they will not. We do not know if their rage has been satisfied.”



News reports quote Lahore police as saying the rioting was sparked by an argument between a Christian and a Muslim who had been talking over drinks. Savan Masih, a sweeper, had been drinking with a friend, Shahid Imran, in Shahid’s barber shop, as was their custom, according to the Centre for Legal Aid, Assistance and Settlement, a Christian organization.



The next day, Friday, Shahid claimed Savan had uttered a blasphemy against the prophet Mohammed. Under Pakistan law, insulting Mohammed is punishable by death. Though the penalty has yet to be carried out, the mere accusation of blasphemy alone has, in other cases, led to rioting and murder.



Press reports say a mosque broadcast the complaint from loudspeakers. Upwards of 2,000 Muslims converged on the Joseph Colony portion of Badami Bagh, threatening to burn Christians in their homes unless they left. Hundreds of families fled.



On Saturday, an estimated 3,000 Muslims, some armed, and some with flammable chemicals, looted and torched about 150 houses in the area and beat Christians who were unable to flee, including children and the elderly, according to news accounts. So far, there have been no reports of deaths.



“There is nothing left in the houses of the Christians of Joseph Colony. They have lost everything and they are helpless,” the legal-aid center said.



Among the houses torched was that of Savan Masih, who has three children and lives with his parents. One news report claims announcements were made at mosques to kill his family. Masih has since been arrested and charged with blasphemy under section 295-C of the Pakistan penal code.



Throughout the rest of the weekend, Christians across Pakistan waged angry demonstrations, clashing with police in Lahore and Karachi. In Lahore, police used batons and fired into the air to try to calm the crowds. Some 300 protesters were arrested, according to the Pakistan Daily Times, and 60 were injured. Several police were also hurt by stones, according to Reuters. Crowds in Lahore pelted a bus station with stones and damaged shops belonging to Muslims. Street fighting with police continued into the evening.



The Punjab Law Minister warned Christians not to take the law into their own hands, and not all demonstrations were violent.



Pakistan’s Supreme Court on Monday issued an order demanding a report on the Badami Bagh riots. The order said Lahore police had failed to protect residents in the face of Saturday’s angry mob. Police say they have arrested about 150 people.



Tensions are running high in Pakistan, where elections are slated for May. In the Joseph Colony, Christians have been anxious for years.



“We live in constant fear of being accused of blasphemy,” one resident told World Watch Monitor last year.



“One day they will get us for blasphemy,” added a Christian worker. “They always say we should stop teaching people about God’s ways and freedom, and if we do not they will come looking for us and make up a case against us.”



Christians have lived in Badami Bagh since Pakistan and India were partitioned in 1947. Many of them are poor, illiterate and work as domestic servants for their Muslim neighbours.



“We live here because God has called us to minister and reach those who have never been able to read or write,” said a teacher who lives in the area. “Many of our students and the people we work with have been abused and have faced persecution in so many different ways.”



The attacks on the Joseph Colony were condemned by the President of the Pakistan Christian Congress, Nazir Bhatti, who told the Pakistan Christian Post, “The Punjab government has failed to provide security of life and property to Punjab’s 18 million Christians.” Christians make up the largest minority group in Punjab.



The Centre for Legal Aid, Assistance and Settlement has defended many Christians in Pakistan against charges of blasphemy, which it says often are made to settle scores with rivals. Saturday’s attack, the center said, was motivated by a desire to seize land belonging to Christians.



On Monday, the National Assembly interrupted its agenda to condemn the attack, while the Supreme Court rejected an initial Punjab government report on the rioting. The bench threw out the report because it failed to mention the reasons behind the incident or state what actions had been taken against the perpetrators. Minority-rights organizations across the country added their condemnation of the attack on the Christian enclave.



Christians in Joseph Colony who lost their homes have been offered compensation of at least 500,000 rupees, or about US $5,000, and promised their homes will be quickly rebuilt.



(Additional sources: BBC; The Centre for Legal Aid; Assistance and Settlement; Pakistan Christian Post; Reuters; Pakistan Daily Times; the News International, Pakistan; Express News Pakistan; DAWN.com)



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Copyright 2013 World Watch Monitor

Christian Protesters Decry Muslim Mob's Arson Spree Following Blasphemy Charge

By Jeremy Reynalds
Senior Correspondent for ASSIST News Service

ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN (ANS) -- Outraged Pakistani Christians took to the streets of Lahore on Sunday, protesting a rash of violence against their community over the weekend.

According to a story by Nasir Habib for CNN, demonstrators denounced the burning of more than 100 homes of Christians on Saturday.
 The activity was initiated by allegations that a Christian man made remarks against the Muslim prophet Mohammed.

Some of the hundreds of protesters Sunday threw stones at police, saying the government failed to adequately protect Christians, Lahore senior police official Rai Tahir said.

CNN reported Tahir said video footage of the fires helped lead to the arrests of more than 150 attackers. He said charges of terrorism have been filed against the suspects.

The violence that tore through Lahore's Badami Bagh community Saturday followed the arrest of Sawan Masih, a Christian in his 20's accused of blasphemy.

CNN said Masih's arrest wasn't enough to appease an angry mob of Muslims irate over the alleged crime.

"(The) mob wanted police to hand them over the alleged blasphemer," said Hafiz Majid, a senior police official in Badami Bagh.

The mob also looted some shops run by Christians, CNN reported he said.

Majid added that Christians have fled the area for fear of being killed.

If convicted, Masih faces the death penalty.

He denies the allegations made by the two men who filed the blasphemy complaint against him with police on Friday, CNN reported Majid said.

Masih said the three got into an argument while drinking and that the other two men threatened to publicly accuse him of blasphemy, according to Majid.

"The attack is yet another shameful incident against a vulnerable community and further confirmation of the slide toward extremism in society on the one hand and, on the other hand, the apathy and inaction that has become the norm among the police," CNN reported the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan said in a statement.

The group accused police of arresting Christians in the incident, "while those who went on a rampage and can easily be identified from television footage have gone scot-free."

CNN said Pakistan's blasphemy laws were first instituted to keep peace between religions. However, they have been criticized by human rights advocates who say the laws enable legal discrimination against religious minorities. At time, the laws have been misused to settle personal differences between Muslims and Christians.

There have been about 1,400 blasphemy cases since the laws were first enacted in 1986, according to U.S.-based Human Rights Watch. There are more than 15 cases of people on death row for blasphemy in Pakistan, and more than 50 people have been killed while facing trial for the charge, according to the organization.

Last year, CNN reported, a Pakistani court dismissed blasphemy charges against a Christian teenager whose case prompted international outrage.

Her detention stirred up religious tensions in the predominantly Muslim country. It also generated fierce criticism of Pakistani authorities and renewed debate over Pakistan's blasphemy laws.

CNN said President Asif Ali Zardari issued a statement Saturday on the most recent "unfortunate incident."

He said the country's constitution protects the rights of all Pakistanis, and that "such acts of vandalism against minorities tarnish the image of the country."

　

Debunking rumor re: Youcef Nadarkhani

(Images courtesy Present Truth Ministries)

Iran (MNN) ― You know how internet rumors run. They get started from some misinformation and sometimes runs for months.

That's the case surrounding the erroneous story of the execution of Iranian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani. There were fears that the Iranian pastor had been killed after Facebook messages surfaced last week.

Jason Demars of Present Truth Ministries who was very involved in the Pastor Youcef case explains: "The Anglican vicar in Baghdad is a reliable person. I'm not sure where he got the information from, but they were basically reporting...the status he put on his Facebook page."

When Demars heard that story, "I began to reach out to some of my contacts to see if they could get in touch with the family to verify whether that was the case or not." Demars and Present Truth Ministries were very involved in the Pastor Youcef case. Soon, he heard back from his contacts. "They did reach the family and were able to confirm that he's alive and doing fine."

Last September, an Iranian court acquitted him on apostasy charges, a charge which carries the death-sentence. Instead, the court sentenced him to three years for "evangelizing Muslims." Since he had already spent nearly three years in Lakan Prison, he posted bail and was released on January 7.

Misinformation is common in stories from closed or creative access nations, so sometimes it's hard to know what's really happening. Demars says credibility is really important when communicating security -sensitive information. It's important "when we're asked about situations, to follow through and get direct confirmation of the news."

Even though this story was proven false, there are other Iranian Christians who are serving long prison terms. Iranian-born American Pastor Saeed Abedini is serving an eight-year prison term in Tehran's notorious Evin Prison on charges linked to his Christian faith.

Both the Voice of the Martyrs and Open Doors have noted the uptick in harassment against Christians. Iranian authorities seem to be targeting the growing number of Muslim-background believers who often worship in underground house churches.

Iran ranks 8th on the Open Doors World Watch list, a compilation of the top 50 countries around the world known for their persecution of Christians. Evangelism, Bible training, and publishing Scriptures in Farsi are illegal.

However, Open Doors notes that many disillusioned Iranian Muslims are becoming curious about Christianity. Demars says for those who can provide answers from the Gospel, "Pray for their safety, pray that they have wisdom in their dealings from day to day and that they would continue doing what God has called them to do with strength and faith."

The problem is: rumors like this one sometimes take a while to die down. They can be distracting. Be part of the solution. Demars says, "As these things come up, learn more about them and be an advocate for the persecuted, as well."

Clashes, protests stir Bangladesh

(Photo by Rajiv Ashrafi)

Bangladesh (MNN) ― Deadly political unrest in Bangladesh continued to escalate over the weekend. 

Hundreds of demonstrators rallied in Dhaka at the end of last week, demanding capital punishment to the war criminals, and a ban on Jamaat-e-Islami. The date last week had historic significance.

On March 07, 1971, the Independence leader of Bangladesh Sheikh Mujibar Rahman asked people to make the Bangladesh free from Pakistan. On March 26, 1971, Bangladeshis started the liberation war against Pakistan. Horrors and crimes against humanity followed. 

This month's uproar is blamed on the verdict of a tribunal, which was supposed to help Bangladesh come to terms with its bloody birth in 1971. However, the verdict seems to have provoked an outcry louder than any other heard in their 42 year history. 

It's not likely to die down soon. Shahbagh demonstrators staged rallies in Uttara, Chittagong, and Ashulia on March 10 and had plans to strike again on March 16.

Over 50 people have been killed, and many houses have been burnt in the rallies. Transportation has become difficult in the major cities. Some persecution of minority religious groups has occurred. 

So far, all Compassion-assisted families and Compassion staff members are safe and unharmed. As a precaution, Compassion Bangladesh temporarily suspended project activities of 20 centers last week. Re-opening is dependent on whether or not the turmoil settles down over the next few days.

All staff members have been instructed to be on emergency alert. Additionally, due to the difficulties, the staff of Compassion Bangladesh has enough to do without having to be concerned over the safety of visitors. For the time being, they won't be hosting any Tours or Vision trips.

Every child who participates in a Compassion program is given the opportunity to learn about Jesus and discover how to develop a lifelong relationship with God. This good news is modeled and shared in age-appropriate and culturally relevant ways. Community transformation results. 

Please pray for the protection of Compassion-assisted families and Compassion staff members throughout Bangladesh.

Pakistan: Blasphemy Accusation Triggers Burning Of As Many As 100 Homes in Christian Neighborhood in Lahore

Another illustration of mob violence against Christians in the country

By Dan Wooding
Founder of ASSIST Ministries

LAHORE, PAKISTAN (ANS) -- A highly-charged mob of between 3,000 and 4,000 extremists set torched as many as 100 houses in the Christian-majority area of Joseph Colony, Badami Bagh, Lahore, over the weekend to "take revenge of the blasphemy" allegedly committed by a young Christian.

This pictures posted on a social networking site says it all

Eyewitnesses said that the mob broke into houses, looted them and burnt the remaining belongings on the roads. At least two police officers were reportedly injured when the mob pelted a police contingent with stones.

According to Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), the violence was reportedly triggered by a blasphemy accusation made against a young Christian, Savan Masih.

"The unrest spiraled as word spread of the allegation and protestors demanded his arrest," said a spokesperson for CSW. "Police took him into custody today, but it is unclear whether or not he has been formally charged. At least one local religious leader has openly called for Savan to be killed."

The mob also attacked Savan's house, setting it on fire and pelting it with stones.

A protestor celebrates the burning of homes (Photo: Abid Nawaz/Express, Pakistan)

Nearly all the residents of Joseph Colony, home to around 150 Christian families, including women and children, hastily fled the area in anticipation of the attacks, some on the advice of local police.

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari said that he has "taken notice of the incident" and has sought a report from authorities, reported Radio Pakistan.

Dr. Paul Bhatti, Advisor to the Pakistan's Prime Minister on Interfaith and Harmony has condemned the incident and called all relevant authorities to "ensure the safety of the Christians of Pakistan."

Punjab Law Minister, Rana Sanaullah, told Pakistan's Express News that he saw no reason for the mob's violence especially after the person accused of blasphemy had been arrested on Friday. He added that cases have been registered against those responsible for Saturday's vandalism and that they will be prosecuted. He also stated publicly that the Christians "will be compensated for the loss of property."

A protester burns belongings from Christian houses in Lahore on Saturday (Photo: Abid Nawaz/Express, Pakistan)

Michelle Chaudhry, activist and Executive Director of the Cecil & Iris Chaudhry Foundation, also condemned the attacks, saying, "The residents of Joseph Colony are among some of the poorest in Lahore and now many have lost everything - it is crucial that the government follows through on its promises to provide compensation.

"It is however encouraging that we have been receiving messages and offers of support from Muslim friends all day. It reminds us that this country does still have a soul."

According to ANS correspondent, Shamim Masih,  on hearing the news, Christians of Islamabad/Rawalpindi, cancelled all their engagements and immediately convened an emergency meeting about this incident.

"Later," he said, "Christians, human rights activists, and members of the local civil society, staged a protest at the National Press Club, Islamabad. They were holding banners and shouting slogans against on the attack on the poor Christians of Joseph Colony, Lahore."

Basharat Khokhar, a human rights activist said that the "ugly fact is that the blasphemy laws are an enabler of mob violence against vulnerable groups."

Christians of Islamabad/Rawalpindi staged protest against the latest shocking incident (Photo: Shamim Masih)

He added, "As long as such laws remain on the books and the authorities remain unwilling or unable to rein in mobs playing judge, jury and executioner, Pakistan will remain plagued by abuse in the name of religion."

In August 2012, a similar incident was narrowly averted in Islamabad, in the wake of the false blasphemy charge against a Christian teenager, Rimsha Masih. The Christian community fled their homes in fear of violence in that instance as well. Eventually, Rimsha was acquitted and freed, but not until there was much suffering by the local Christian community at the hands of extremists.

Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of Christian Solidarity Worldwide, said, "We are shocked and saddened to hear of another terrible attack of this kind. While blasphemy accusations do affect Pakistanis of all faiths, cases against minorities routinely lead to the violent targeting of the wider community of the accused. It is absolutely unacceptable that local police did not take more serious measures to prevent this entirely foreseeable violence.

"Just as the handling of Rimsha Masih's case represented a step forwards, this situation underlines the huge amount of work that remains to be done. The lessons of past episodes of violence have still not been learnt. We strongly condemn these attacks and call upon the Pakistani government to take immediate steps to increase security in the area, to support those who have fled, to arrest those inciting and carrying out the violence, and to ensure that the blasphemy accusation is properly and fairly investigated so that mob justice does not prevail."

Six Children Killed in Slaughter of Families in Plateau State

Nigeria Islamic extremists suspected in murder of 10 Christians in village near Jos

By Jeremy Reynalds
Senior Correspondent for ASSIST News Service

KOGOM TAH, NIGERIA (ANS) -- Regina Luka does not know whether it was rogue soldiers or Islamic terrorists who invaded her two-family dwelling and killed 10 Christians.

Regina Luka on her hospital bed after the attack in Plateau state. (Morning Star News photo)

According to a story by Morning Star News, all she knows is that her husband and two young children are dead.

Luka, 20, was recovering from gunshot and machete wounds on her legs and back when she spoke with Morning Star News about the attack on Feb. 21 in Kogom Tah, about 30 kilometers (19 miles) southwest of Jos in central Nigeria's Plateau state.

From her bed at Vom Christian Hospital about six miles from the village, she said she and her brother-in-law's family had gathered in front of their joint-home compound to discuss burial arrangements for their recently deceased grandfather when gunmen began shooting sporadically at them.

"I ran into our house and straight into our bedroom to take cover and to ensure that my children were safe, but minutes after getting into the room, some gunmen forced their way into the room, shooting and cutting anyone they found with machetes," Morning Star News said the tearful Luka recounted.

Flying bullets forced her to dive under a bed, but the assailants dragged her out, cut her back with a machete and shot her buttocks and leg.

"Six of us had run into that room, but five were killed while I was the lone survivor in the room," Luka said.

Morning Star News said she added, "Those who attacked us thought I was dead, and so they left."

In that bedroom, her 30-year-old brother-in-law, Jacob Musa, was killed along with his wife, Naomi Jacob, 25, and their three children: Blessing Jacob, 5; Dachollom Jacob, 4; and Ayuba Jacob, 1. Killed in another room in the dwelling was her husband, Luka, and their two children, 4-year-old Aaron Luka and 2-year-old Mary Luka.

Also killed were relatives Dawan Musa, 18, and 15-year-old Benjamin Joseph.

Morning Star News said along with Regina Luka, 15-year-old John Dalyop was wounded in the attack.

Morning Star News reported that a nurse at the hospital, Chundung Badung, said Regina Luka's gunshot and machete wounds were very serious, and that she had undergone a blood transfusion.

"Right now she cannot afford to pay for medical bills, because her husband and children were killed in the attack," Badung said. "So an NGO (Non-Governmental Organization) has provided her with some free medications. She needs support from others who may be moved by the Spirit to assist her."

The slain relatives had worshiped at New Life Christ Church, one of four churches in Kogom Tah village.

Morning Star News said Rev. John Mwatbang, the 58-year-old pastor of their church, said he was sitting with his family at home at about 7:30 p.m. when he heard gunshots about two kilometers away.

"I quickly instructed my family to remain indoors while I found out what was going on there," he said. "I knew that members of my church must be in danger, as I heard shootings without end. By the time I got to Regina's house, the attackers had left, and I saw 10 dead bodies in the compound."

Morning Star News said the identities of the attackers were unknown. Ethnic Fulani herders, primarily Muslim, have longstanding tribal conflict with predominantly Christian farmers from the Berom tribe, and Islamic terrorist groups have aided and encouraged Fulani attacks on Christian areas.

Some residents reportedly said the assailants wore military uniforms, and others said Special Task Force (STF) personnel charged with preventing such attacks did not come after receiving emergency calls.

Morning Star News said an STF spokesman later said local residents attacked the STF forces, preventing them from reaching the site. Claiming the assailants were STF soldiers, Vwang District head Choji Balack reportedly said the Fulani could not "carry out such shooting."

Whether Fulanis, trained terrorists or Muslim extremist soldiers breaking ranks with the STF, Mwatbang and other residents said the onslaught had all the markings of previous Islamist assaults.

"There is no doubt that this is an Islamic agenda," Mwatbang told Morning Star News. "It is a plan to wipe us Christians out of this part of Nigeria."

Morning Star News said the pastor, whose church was established in 1960 and has about 350 members, said that in spite of complaints to the Nigerian government about how the area has become a terrorist target, the administration has made no serious effort at protection.

The slaughter was the second in the area in less than a year, he said.

Plateau state lies between Nigeria's primarily Muslim north and largely Christian south. Christians make up 51.3 percent of Nigeria's population of 158.2 million, while Muslims account for 45 percent. Nigerians practicing indigenous religions may be as high as 10 percent of the total population, according to Operation World, so the percentages of Christians and Muslims may be less.

For the surviving members of the Kogom Tah Christian community, Morning Star News reported, village life feels like walking through a minefield.

"We do not know the hour or the time the attackers would come back to attack us again," said a resident who declined to give his name.

For more information go to http://morningstarnews.org